Method and system for multi-tier billing for downloading content via a broadband gateway

ABSTRACT

A broadband gateway may be used to provide multi-tier billing services in a home network. The broadband gateway may determine whether a transaction requested from the broadband gateway is performable in a plurality of steps, may associate a charge and/or a credit with each of the determined plurality of steps, and may perform the requested transaction based on the associated charges and/or credits. The broadband gateway may determine a plurality of cost combinations for performing the requested transaction based on the determined associated charges and/or credits, and may offer the generated plurality of cost combination for selection by user. The transaction may comprise obtaining content for consumption by devices serviced by the broadband gateway. In this regard, a charge and/or a credit may also be associated with one or more criteria associated with obtaining content. The broadband gateway may communicate with users during multi-tier billing services via a user interface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This patent application makes reference to, claims priority to and claims benefit from United States Provisional Application Serial No. 61/351,696 filed on Jun. 4, 2010. This application also makes reference to:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/355,377 (Attorney Docket No. 19545US01) filed on Jan. 16, 2009;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/355,413 (Attorney Docket No. 19897US01) filed on Jan. 16, 2009;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/355,480 (Attorney Docket No. 19902US01) filed on Jan. 16, 2009;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/395,383 (Attorney Docket No. 19910US01) filed on Feb. 27, 2009;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23397U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23398U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23399U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23400U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23401 U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23402U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23403U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23399U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23404U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23405U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23406U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23407U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23408U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23409U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23410U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23411 U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23412U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23413U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23414U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23415U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23416U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23417U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23418U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23419U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23420U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23421 U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23422U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23423U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23424U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23425U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23426U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23427U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23428U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23429U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23430U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23431 U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23433U502) filed on even date herewith;

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23434U502) filed on even date herewith; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No.______(Attorney Docket No. 23435U502) filed on even date herewith.

Each of the above stated applications is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[Not Applicable].

[MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE]

[Not Applicable].

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention relate to audio processing. More specifically, certain embodiments of the invention relate to a method and system for multi-tier billing for downloading content via a broadband gateway.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With the continuous growth of digital television or broadcast multimedia, and/or broadband access, which may be used in conjunction with online businesses, social networks, and/or other online services and applications, users may desire having access to a larger number of providers and/or a broader range of content in a manner that is flexible and/or suits the users' lifestyles. Most users connect to the Internet using web browsers running on personal computers (PCs) and/or mobile devices such as Smartphones. Furthermore, most households may have one or more televisions that may be used to view television broadcasts and/or multimedia content. Television broadcasts may include terrestrial TV, Cable-Television (CATV), satellite TV and/or Internet Protocol television (IPTV) based broadcasts. To protect against unauthorized reception and/or use of multimedia content, service providers may require use of dedicated set-top boxes (STBs) that may be used to encrypt broadcast signals communicated from the service providers to generate suitable video and/or audio streams that may be played via televisions and/or other display/playback devices in the household.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system and/or method is provided for multi-tier billing for downloading content via a broadband gateway, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the present invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary communication system that comprises a home network serviced by a broadband gateway, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary broadband gateway, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3A is a flow chart that illustrates exemplary steps for multi-tier billing for downloading content via a broadband gateway, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3B is a flow chart that illustrates exemplary steps for configuring a broadband gateway to provide multi-tier billing, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary user interface generated by a broadband gateway for creating and/or managing profiles, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in a method and system for multi-tier billing for downloading content via a broadband gateway. In various embodiments of the invention, a broadband gateway may be utilized to provide multi-tier billing services in a home network. The broadband gateway may determine whether a transaction requested from the broadband gateway is performable in a plurality of steps; may associate a charge and/or a credit with each of the determined plurality of steps; and may perform the requested transaction based on the associated charges and/or credits. The broadband gateway may track and/or aggregate charges and/or credits during performance of the requested transaction, based on actually completed ones from the determined plurality of steps. The transaction may comprise, for example, obtaining content for consumption by devices serviced by the broadband gateway. In this regard, the plurality of steps may comprise downloading of the content and actual consumption of the content. Furthermore, charges and/or credits may also be associated with one or more criteria associated with obtaining content. The one or more criteria may comprise source of the content, format of the content, time of actual use of the content, amount of the content actually consumed, and number of uses of the content. The broadband gateway may determine a plurality of cost combinations for performing the requested transaction based on the determined associated charges and/or credits, and may offer the generated plurality of cost combination for selection by user.

The broadband gateway may communicate with users utilizing the broadband gateway during multi-tier billing services. In this regard, a user interface may be utilized by the broadband gateway to facilitate user communications. The broadband gateway may store information associated with users of the broadband gateway, wherein the stored information may be associated with providing multi-tier billing service to the corresponding users. The stored information may comprise a user profile corresponding to a user, wherein the user profile may comprise a plurality of setting for controlling and/or managing the multi-tier billing service. In this regard, the user profile may be configurable, by the user using the user interface for example.

The broadband gateway may communicate with users in the home network, during multi-tier billing services, using user interfaces. Selecting and/or configuring the multi-tier billing combinations may be done based on information associated with users. In this regard, the broadband gateway may store and/or maintain information associated with users in the home network for use in conjunction with providing multi-tier billing services to these users. The stored information may comprise user profiles comprising a plurality of settings for controlling and/or managing multi-tier billing services. The user profiles may be configurable by user associated with these user profiles.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary communication system that comprises a home network serviced by a broadband gateway, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a home network 100 a, a plurality of distribution networks 110, a plurality of service providers 120, and a plurality of content providers 130. The home network 100 a may be serviced by a broadband gateway 102. In this regard, the home network 100 a may comprise a plurality of home devices 104 a-104 j. Also shown in FIG. 1 are additional home networks 100 b, . . . , 100 n, and an emergency services provider network 140. Each of the home networks 100 b, . . . , 100 n may also be serviced by a broadband gateway 102.

The content providers 130 may comprise various entities and/or networks which may generate, capture, and/or package content that may be distributed to end-users, via the service providers 120 and/or the distribution networks 110. In this regard, content may comprise audio, video, multimedia, e-book, gaming, and/or other content. Exemplary content providers may comprise commercial providers of multimedia content, such as major film or television production and/or distribution companies (e.g. Paramount Pictures or Warner Bros.), and/or providers of personal content (e.g. user-generated content). The content may be, for example, downloadable and/or streaming, rented and/or purchased. Content originating from the content providers 130 may be distributed to the end-users (e.g. consumers) by the service providers 120. In some instances, content providers 120 and service providers 120 may be separate entities. In some instances, however, a single provider may provide both content and services. That is, an entity that functions as a network access service provider may also provide content and/or services other than network access and, thus, that entity may also be accurately referred to as a “content provider” and/or a “service provider.” The content and/or services that are provided by the content provider and/or the service provider may be provided to the broadband gateways 102 via one or more physical connections provided by a network access service provider.

The service providers 120 may comprise various entities which may provide, using different access technologies, various services to broadband gateways 102 and/or to devices serviced by the broadband gateways 102, such as the plurality of home devices 104 a-104 j. The services may include, but are not limited to, multimedia, television, Internet, phone, Ethernet, multimedia over coax alliance (MoCA), passive optical network (PON), and/or cellular services, for example. Some of the service providers 120 may comprise network access service providers which provide physical layer connections to the broadband gateway 102. Such physical layer connections may then be utilized to access content provided by the content providers 130, access services provided by other ones of the service providers 120, and/or access an intranet or the Internet at-large. In this regard, “network access service provider” as utilized herein, is distinguished from the more generic term “service provider” which may encompass services other than providing physical layer access to a network. Cable television providers, plain old telephone service (POTS) providers, digital subscriber line (DSL) providers, cellular providers, WiMAX providers, and satellite providers are examples of network access service providers. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the broadband gateway 102 may enable connecting to multiple service providers 120 to facilitate receiving content originating from one or more of the content providers 130.

The plurality of distribution networks 110 may comprise one or more networks that may be operable to enable wireless and/or wired communication among a plurality of local and/or remote entities, based on one or more networking and/or communication infrastructures. In this regard, the plurality of distribution network 110 may be utilized to enable distributing multimedia content generated by the content providers 130, directly and/or via the service providers 120, to end-users. The network connectivity available via the plurality of distribution networks 110 may be based on one or more communication standards and/or protocols. The plurality of distribution networks 110 may comprise, for example, Internet 110 a, the Cable Television (CATV) network 110 b, Satellite Television (TV) network 110 c, wireless local network area/wide network area (LAN/WAN) 110 d, and/or cellular network 110 e.

The Internet 110 a may comprise a system of interconnected networks to enable exchange of data among a plurality of nodes, based on one or more networking standards, including, for example, the Internet Protocol (IP). For example, the Internet 110 a may enable connectivity among a plurality of private and public, academic, business, and/or government nodes and/or networks. The physical connectivity may be provided in the Internet 110 a via, for example, the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), copper wires, fiber-optic cables, wireless interfaces, and/or other protocols and/or standards-based interfaces. The transport functionality may be performed in the Internet 110 a based on, for example, one or more protocols, such as the Transmission Control Protocol/IP (TCP/IP), for example. The CATV network 110 b may comprise suitable distribution nodes, systems, and/or subnetworks that may enable forwarding of communication between CATV providers and a plurality of cable-TV consumers. For example, the CATV network 110 b may comprise a network of fiber optics and/or coaxial cables for use in CATV broadcasts. The satellite TV network 110 c may comprise suitable distribution nodes, systems, and/or subnetworks that may enable communication of satellite TV broadcast by satellite TV providers to a plurality of consumers. For example, the satellite network 110 c may comprise a plurality of orbiting satellite nodes and/or one or more terrestrial centers in a satellite-TV system.

The LAN/WAN network 110 d may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to enable implementation of one or more wired and/or wireless LAN or WAN standards and/or protocols. Exemplary WAN technologies comprise, for example, WiMAX-based networks. Exemplary LAN technologies may comprise, for example, those based on IEEE 802.11 standards, including, for example, WiFi-based networks. The cellular network 110 e may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to enable communication via one or more cellular technologies. Exemplary cellular technologies may comprise Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), wideband CDMA (WCDMA), CDMA1000, High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), General Packet Radio Services (GPRS), Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution (EDGE), and/or Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS). The cellular network 110 e may comprise, for example, a plurality of control and/or switching nodes, and a plurality of base stations that enable transmission and/or reception of cellular based communications between the cellular network 110 e and cellular capable devices.

Each of the home networks 100 a-100 n may correspond to a location that may comprise a plurality of devices which may be serviced and/or managed by the broadband gateway 102. In this regard, the location may be a residence (e.g., home, apartment), a small business, a school, a library, and/or other like settings in which users may want to obtain access to service and/or to content provider networks. The broadband gateway 102 may be utilized in a home network, such as the home network 100 a, to provide connectivity between the home network and one or more of the service providers 120 (and/or one or more of the content providers 130) via the distribution networks 110.

The broadband gateway 102 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to implement various aspects of the invention. The broadband gateway 102 may be operable to communicate with the content providers 130, the service providers 120, and the plurality of home devices 104 a-104 j. In this manner, the broadband gateway 102 may enable bidirectional communication of content and/or other information between the content providers 130, the service providers 120 and the devices 104 a-104 j. Communications between the broadband gateway 102 and the content providers 130 and/or service providers 120 may be carried over optical, wired, and/or wireless links of the distribution network(s) 110. Similarly, Communications between the broadband gateway 102 and the devices 104 a-104 j may be carried over optical, wired, and/or wireless links. In an exemplary aspect of the invention, a single broadband gateway 102 may be operable to handle multiple physical layer (i.e., layer 1 of the open-systems interconnection model (OSI)) connections to multiple ones, or portions, of the distribution network(s) 110, where different ones or portions of the distribution network(s) 110 are owned, operated, leased, or otherwise associated with different ones of the network access service providers 120. For example, a first network access service provider may provide network access to the broadband gateway 102 via a DSL connection over twisted-pair cabling, and a second network access service provider may provide network access to the broadband gateway 102 via a cable television connection over coaxial cabling. In some instances, the broadband gateway 102 may be operable to concurrently communicate over the multiple physical layer connections provided by the multiple network access service providers.

For example, the broadband gateway 102 may support configuring and/or using a plurality of broadband connections 108 to the distribution networks 110. The broadband connections 108 may comprise wired and/or wireless connections between the broadband gateway 102 and the distribution networks 110, which may enable communication between the broadband gateway 102 and the service providers 120. The broadband gateway 102 may operate as an interface device that may allow one or more service and/or content providers to interact with various devices in the home network. In this regard, the broadband gateway 102 may be operable to perform and/or provide various services that may pertain to enabling and/or facilitating reception of multimedia content from one or more content providers 130, wherein the content may be delivered through one or more services providers 120. For example, the broadband gateway 102 may be operable to perform such operations as network access related processing (e.g. PHY/MAC, and/or transport layer processing), encryption and/or decryption, user and/or account authentication, and/or at least some of video and/or audio processing operations which may be necessary for consumption of multimedia content. The broadband gateway 102 may communicate with various devices in the home network 100, using wired and/or wireless communication links.

Devices serviced by, and/or connected with the broadband gateway 102 may comprise content consuming devices and/or other, non-content consuming household or home devices that may be operable to interact with the broadband gateway 102. For example, the broadband gateway 102 may service, and/or may communicate with the plurality of home devices 104 a-104 j in the home network 100 a. The home devices may comprise, for example, one or more of a television 104 a, a laptop computer 104 b, a smoke detector, a carbon monoxide detector, and/or a security alarm 104 c, a computer and/or server 104 d, a mobile phone 104 e, a speaker 104 f, an AM/FM radio 104 g, an appliance 104 h (e.g., refrigerator), a phone 104 i, and a digital video recorder (DVR) or personal video recorder (PVR) 104 j. The broadband gateway 102 may interact with each of the home devices 104 a-104 j via corresponding links 106 a-106 j, which may be supported by the broadband gateway 102 and the corresponding home device. For example, the link 106 a between the broadband gateway 102 and the television 104 a may comprise a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) cable and/or 60 GHz WiGig wireless connection/interface. The link 106 b may comprise, for example, a wired Ethernet link, a wireless Ethernet link, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) link, or an IEEE 1394 link. The link 106 c may comprise, for example, a two-wire link or a wireless link. The link 106 d may comprise, for example, a wired Ethernet link, a wireless Ethernet link, a USB link, or an IEEE 1394 link. The link 106 e may comprise, for example, a wireless Ethernet link, a USB link, or a cellular link. The link 106 f may comprise speaker wire and/or a wireless link. The link 106 g may comprise, for example, AM and/or FM radio transmissions broadcast received using the broadband gateway 102. The link 106 h may comprise, for example, a wired or wireless link. The link 106 i may comprise, for example, a phone line. The link 106 j may comprise, for example, a wired or a wireless link. Although in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 the home devices 104 a-104 j are shown as being communicatively coupled to only the broadband gateway 102, the invention may not be so limited. Accordingly, the devices 104 a-104 j may be communicatively coupled to multiple broadband gateways in a local or home network, and/or may be communicate directly, without departing from the spirit and scope of various embodiments of the invention.

In an exemplary aspect of the invention, the broadband gateway 102 may be operable to provide multi-tier billing for downloading and/or consuming content via the broadband gateway 102. In this regard, rather than assessing a single charge or payment for obtaining content, the broadband gateway 102 may generate and/or utilize a multi-tier billing structure, comprising a plurality of separate charges and/or credits corresponding to a plurality of steps that may be performed to facilitate completion of downloading and/or consumption of the content, and/or adjustments or modifications that may be applied to the content itself or to its download, reception, and/or use. Accordingly, users may only be assessed payments based on steps and/or actions completed within the multi-tier billing structure.

The broadband gateway 102 may also be operable to provide and/or support various other, non-content related services in the home network 100. For example, the broadband gateway 102 may be operable to provide energy management in the home network 102, by controlling and/or adjusting configuration of one or more devices in the home network to reduce power consumption for example. The broadband gateway 102 may also provide emergency-related services in the home network 100 a. For example, the emergency services provider network 140 may be connected to the distribution networks 110 via a link 112. The emergency services provider network 140 may be associated with one or more emergency service provider entities. For example, a public entity such as a 911 center and/or a private entity such as a security company may be able to interact with the broadband gateway 102 in the home network 100 a via the distribution networks 110.

While the broadband gateway 102 is shown in FIG. 1 as a single and separate device, the invention need not be so limited. In one embodiment of the invention, the broadband gateway functionality may be implemented in a distributed manner over two or more devices. Furthermore, the broadband gateway may be implemented as a virtual platform, for example in instances where it may be implemented in distributed manner. In another embodiment of the invention, some or all of the functionality of the broadband gateway may be implemented within one of the televisions available in the home.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a plurality of home networks 100 b, . . . , 100 n, may also be connected to the distribution networks 110. These home networks 100 b, . . . , 100 n may operate in substantially the same manner as the home network 100 a. By having multiple home networks connected to the distribution networks 110, various applications, such as peer-to-peer communication and/or data aggregation operations may be possible by utilizing the broadband gateways 102 in the home networks.

In operation, the broadband gateway 102 may be utilized as an interface device that may allow one or more service providers 120, the content providers 130, and/or the emergency service provider network 140 to interact with various devices in a home network, such as in the home network 100 a. In this regard, the broadband gateway 102 may be operable to perform and/or provide various services that may pertain to enabling and/or facilitating reception of data, such as multimedia content, for example, from one or more content providers, wherein the content may be delivered through one or more services providers. The broadband gateway 102 may distribute the received content to one or more devices in a home network, for consumption, and/or may perform, directly and/or indirectly using other devices, any processing and/or operations (e.g., decryption and/or account validation) that may be needed to ensure that the content may be consumed by the target home device(s).

The broadband gateway 102 may also provide and/or support various other, non-content related services in the home network 100. For example, the broadband gateway 102 may be operable to provide energy management in the home network 102, by controlling and/or adjusting configuration of one or more devices in the home network to reduce power consumption for example. The broadband gateway 102 may also provide emergency-related services in the home network 100, including allowing first responders to provide alerts to a select group of users by accessing the broadband gateway 102 via secure links provided by the service/content providers.

In exemplary aspect of the invention described herein, the broadband gateway 102 may provide a multi-tier billing service that may be utilized in conjunction with content downloads and/or consumption in the home network 100 a. In this regard, rather than assessing singular and/or individual charges for the downloading and/or the consumption of content, the broadband gateway 102 may be utilized to generate multi-tier billing structures that may be used in conjunction with content downloads and/or consumption operations within the home network 100 a. For example, use of the multi-tier billing structures may enable dividing costs of obtaining and/or using content into a plurality of smaller payments in lieu of a single, large payment. In this regard, the multi-tier billing structures may comprise a plurality of incremental charges that may be assessed during content download and/or consumption. The incremental charges in the multi-tier billing structure may correspond to a plurality of steps that may be performed to facilitate completion of downloading and/or consumption of the content. Accordingly, users may be assessed payments comprising only actually incurred charges, based on steps and/or actions completed within the multi-tier billing structure. For example, rather than charging a single payment of $4.99 for obtaining a movie from a content provider 120 via a service provider 130, regardless of whether the movie is ultimately consumed (i.e. watched) or not, a two-tier billing structure may be used instead. In this regard, the two-tier billing structure may comprise a $1.99 charge for the movie download and a $3.00 charge for actually watching the movie for example. Use of such tiered or staggered billing structure may be more advantageous because it may help mitigate some of the costs incurred by users when downloaded content is ultimately not consumed. In this regard, use of the multi-tier billing structure may encourage users to download more content since the user would likely be more willing to do so in instances where the potential cost of not consuming the downloaded content is smaller. Use of the multi-tier billing may also enable aggregating costs associated with multiple separate transactions, each comprising obtaining and/or using different content for example, into a single payment in lieu of a plurality of smaller payments. Reducing the number of payments may be desirable since it may enable eliminating and/or reducing overheads associated with performing and/or completing each of multiple small payments corresponding to the multiple transactions separately. The single large payment may be made prior to or after completing the corresponding multiple transactions. In this regard, the multi-tier billing structures may be utilized for tracking and/or aggregating charges assessed for, or credits obtained from each of the separate multiple transactions, up to the amount corresponding to the single large payment. For example, rather than requiring a user to make multiple payments of $1.99 for each content (e.g. movie) obtained from a content provider 130, the user may provide or deposit an initial payment of $100.00, and a multi-tier billing structure may then be utilized to track, and/or deduct charges assessed for each completed transaction, from the initial payment until it is exhausted.

The multi-tier billing structures utilized by the broadband gateway 102, for example in conjunction with obtaining content for devices in the home network 100 a, may also incorporate billing criteria accounting for additional details relating to obtaining and/or use of the content. In this regard, the additional billing criteria may pertain to, for example, source of content, formatting of content, time of use, portions of content actually consumed, and/or number of times the content is used. Accordingly, the multi-tier billing structures may account for varying costs or charges that may be assessed, and/or credits that may granted, for modification and/or adjustments to a manner in which the content is obtained, received, and/or used. In this regard, credits may be applied to discount incurred charges and/or may be accumulated and redeemed subsequently, in future content purchases for example. The credits may be offered based on user's willingness to undertake (or forgo) certain steps and/or for selecting certain options that may benefit the service providers 120 and/or content providers 120. For example, services providers 130 may have incentive to reduce bandwidth use, in the distribution networks 110, for communicating content to the users. Therefore, the multi-tier billing structure may allow for assessing smaller charges, and/or for granting of credits for assenting to receive the content from other users, in other home networks such as the home network 100 b, that may be closer to the home network 100 a. For example, rather than charging $4.99 for obtaining a movie in the home network 100 a directly from a content provider 120 via a service provider 130, the billing structure may allow for charging a lesser total charge, such as $3.99, when the movie, or a portion thereof, is downloaded from another nearby user, such as a user in the home network 100 b. This may reduce bandwidth consumption in the distribution networks 110.

The multi-tier billing structures may also account for formatting of the requested and/or delivered content. In this regard, formatting and/or compression may result in adjustment of the size of content, which may lead to less (or more) bandwidth loads for its communication in distribution networks 110 utilized by the service provider 130. For example, communicating content formatted and/or compressed as 1080 p may require more bandwidth than the bandwidth required to communicate that content in instances where it formatted and/or compressed, for example, display devices that may only support 720 p video and/or via mobile devices whose screens would comprise small resolution. Accordingly, the multi-tier billing structures used by the broadband gateway 102 may incorporate lesser charges, and/or credits for assenting to receive content formatted and/or compressed in a manner that requires less bandwidth. The broadband gateway 102 may be operable to determine the capabilities of the home device being utilized to consume the content, and may offer that adjust charges, or credits accordingly.

The multi-tier billing structures may also account for details regarding time of use with respect to downloaded content. For example, billing rates for content may decrease and/or vary over time, because demand for the content by consumers may decrease compared to time of first release. The same may also be true for instances where the value of content may be time-sensitive, such as in instances where the content may correspond to a sporting event and thus it would be costlier for a live broadcast even rather than for subsequent rebroadcast. Accordingly, the multi-tier billing structures may incorporate varying charge rates, and/or credits to adjust the billing assessed for content based on tracking of estimated or actual time of use by the user. In this regard, the broadband gateway 102 may track when downloaded content is actually used. Furthermore, the multi-tier billing structures used by the broadband gateway 102 may also allow for, and/or incorporate varying charge rates, and/or credits to adjust the billing assessed for content based on the number of times the content is consumed. For example, lower billing rates may be applied for subsequent uses of the same downloaded content in the home network 100 a. Discount for subsequent uses of the same content may be limited (or not) to subsequent uses by the same user and/or via the same home device. For example, a user in the home network 100 a may initially be charged $4.99 for obtaining and viewing a movie from a content provider 120 via a service provider 130. The downloaded movie may then be stored locally, using the broadband gateway 102 for example, and the same user may be charged a lesser amount, such as $2.99, for subsequent viewings of the movie.

The multi-tier billing structures may also account for portioning of obtained content. In this regard, rather than providing the content as a singular entity, content providers 130 and/or services providers 120 may provide the content as a plurality of portions. Communicating the content in portions may enable reduction and/or efficient management of bandwidth load in the distribution networks 110. Accordingly, the multi-tier billing structures used by the broadband gateway 102 may incorporate varying billing rates, and/or credits to adjust the billing assessed for content in instances where users may assent to reception, and/or consumption of content in portion. Furthermore, the content providers 130 and/or services providers 120 may allow for providing an initial portion of the content, which users may utilize to determine whether to proceed with purchase of the content. For example, a trailer-like portion of the content may be provided, at small charge, that may be viewed before users assent to proceeding with purchasing and downloading the whole content.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary broadband gateway, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a broadband gateway 200 that may be substantially similar to the broadband gateway 102 described above with respect to FIG. 1.

The broadband gateway 200 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may be operable to provide connectivity between one or more external networks, such as the distribution networks 110 shown in FIG. 1, for example, and one or more devices in a home network, such as the home devices 104 a-104 j in the home network 100 a shown in FIG. 1. In this regard, the broadband gateway 200 may operate as an interface device that allows one or more service providers, content providers, and/or emergency service providers, which may be referred to collectively as service/content providers, to interact with various devices in the home network. For example, the broadband gateway 200 may be utilized to enable interaction between the plurality of service providers 120 and/or the plurality of content providers 130, and the home devices 104 a-104 j.

The broadband gateway 200 may communicate with the various home devices via a home network that may comprise wired and/or wireless communication links, such as the home network 100 a, to support communicating between the broadband gateway 200 and the home devices, and/or among the home devices via the broadband gateway 200. In this regard, the broadband gateway 200 may comprise suitable hardware and/or software to provide some or all of the functions and/or operations of one or more of a modem, a router, and a switch. The modem functions and/or operations may be those of a digital subscribed line (DSL) modem, a cable modem, or a wireless cable modem, for example. The router functions and/or operations may be those of a wireless router, for example. The switch functions and/or operations may be those of a network switch, or a local area network (LAN) switch, for example. In some instances, the broadband gateway 200 may communicate with the various devices in the home via more than one home network.

The broadband gateway 200 may comprise a plurality of modules, each of which may comprise hardware, software, or a combination thereof that may be utilized to perform various operations associated with the broadband gateway 200. For example, in an embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 2, the broadband gateway 200 may comprise a processing subsystem 202, a storage subsystem 204, a provider interfacing subsystem 206, and a client-network interfacing subsystem 208. In some instances, the broadband gateway 200 may be such that the various modules listed above may be distributed over multiple devices. Moreover, the modules listed above are provided by way of illustration and not of limitation. Other configurations and/or architectures of the broadband gateway 200 may be implemented. For example, the broadband gateway 200 may be a virtual gateway setup in a network by utilizing virtual machines (VMs) and/or next-generation (NG) data centers.

The processing subsystem 202 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to process data received from the service and/or content providers and/or data received from one or more devices in the home network 100. In this regard, the processing subsystem 202 may comprise one or more portions that are suitable to handle certain types of data such as video data and/or audio data, for example. The processing subsystem 202 may also be operable to control and/or manage operations of the broadband gateway 200, and/or performing tasks and/or applications therein. For example, the processing subsystem 202 may enable execution of applications, programs and/or code which may be stored in the storage subsystem 204, for example. In this regard, the processing subsystem 202 may be operable to configure and/or control operations of various components and/or subsystems of the broadband gateway 200, and/or other devices managed by and/or connected to broadband gateway, by utilizing, for example, one or more control signals. The processing subsystem 202 may also control data transfers within the broadband gateway 200, in the course of performing various applications and/or tasks for example. The processing subsystem 202 may comprise, for example, a plurality of processors 203, which may be general and/or specialized processors (e.g. CPU, video processors, and/or audio processors). While the processing subsystem 202 is shown herein as a single block, the invention needs not be so limited. Accordingly, in instances where the broadband gateway 200 is implemented a distributed platform, some of the operations and/or functions described herein with regard to the processing subsystem 202 may be performed by different components that may be located in different devices.

The storage subsystem 204 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to store data utilized in the operations of the broadband gateway 200. In this regard, the storage subsystem 204 may comprise one or more memory devices that may enable permanent and/or non-permanent storage, buffering, and/or fetching of data, code and/or other information which may be used, consumed, and/or handled in the broadband gateway 200. For example, the storage subsystem 204 may be utilized to store configuration data, parameters, device information, tracking and/or monitoring information, security information, and intermediate processing data, for example. The storage subsystem 204 may comprise storage media integrated in the broadband gateway 200 and/or one or more removable storage devices. In this regard, the storage subsystem 204 may comprise different memory technologies, including, for example, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), Flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD), and/or field-programmable gate array (FPGA).

The provider interfacing subsystem 206 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to communicate data to and/or from one or more service and/or content providers. In this regard, the provider interfacing subsystem 206 may enable accessing and/or communicating with one or more of the distribution networks 110. Furthermore, while not shown in FIG. 2, the provider interfacing subsystem 206 may be utilized to receive communicate data to and/or from third parties. In this regard, the provider interfacing subsystem 206 may enable gateway-to-gateway communication and/or interactions between the broadband gateway 200 and communication devices located outside the home network 100, directly and/or indirectly through distribution networks corresponding to one or more service providers. The provider interfacing subsystem 206 may be operable to support multiple communication protocols, standards, and/or data transport technologies. The provider interfacing subsystem 206 may be communicatively coupled to the service/content providers via wired and/or wireless communication links. In an exemplary aspect of the invention, the provider interfacing subsystem 206 may enable supporting, and/or communicating with multiple and/or different service/content providers.

The client-network interfacing subsystem 208 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to send data to one or more devices in the home network serviced and/or managed by the broadband gateway, such as the home network 100. The client-network interfacing subsystem 208 may also be operable to receive data from one or more devices in the home network 100. The client-network interfacing subsystem 208 may be operable to support multiple communication protocols, standards, and/or data transport technologies. For example, the client-network interfacing subsystem 208 may support the links 106 a-106 j of FIG. 1.

In operation, the broadband gateway 200 may be utilized as an interface device that may interact with a plurality of devices in a home network, such as such as the devices 104 a-104 j in the home network 100 a, and/or may provide connectivity between the devices in the home network and service and/or content providers. The broadband gateway 200 may also interact with a plurality of home devices in a home network, such as the devices 104 a-104 j in the home network 100 a, using the client-network interfacing subsystem 208. In this regard, the client-network interfacing subsystem 208 may support use of one or more of the links 106 a-106 j. Furthermore, the broadband gateway 200 may interact with one or more service providers 120 via the provider interfacing subsystem 206, to enable exchanging messages and/or content for example, via one or more of the distribution networks 110. Accordingly, the broadband gateway 200 may enable and/or facilitate obtaining content (e.g. multimedia content) from one or more content providers 130, wherein the content may be delivered through one or more services providers 120. The broadband gateway 200 may distribute the received content to one or more of the plurality of home devices 104 a-104 j, for content consumption, and/or may perform, directly via the processing subsystem 202 and/or indirectly utilizing other devices communicatively coupled to the broadband gateway 200, any processing and/or procedures (e.g. decryption and/or account validation) that may be necessary to ensure that the content may be consumed by the home device(s).

The broadband gateway 200 may also provide various services and/or tasks in the home network 100 a, beyond, in addition to, and/or in conjunction with content delivery to home devices. For example, the broadband gateway 200 may be operable to adapt and/or enable changes in a subscription model and/or in multimedia delivery characteristics based on the capabilities of the various devices in the home network. For example, high-definition video content may be delivered to certain type of devices, such as digital televisions (DTVs), while low-definition video content and/or text may be delivered to a different type of devices, such as personal mobile devices. Accordingly, the broadband gateway 200 may be utilized to reduce bandwidth and/or processing power consumption in the home network. The broadband gateway 200 may also support and/or use multi-transport processing, which may be performed sequentially, in parallel, and/or utilizing distributed processing.

The broadband gateway 200 may support use of multi-transport processing, which may be performed sequentially, in parallel, and/or utilizing distributed processing. Furthermore, the broadband gateway 200 may be operable to broker and/or arbitrate with service/content providers the consumption of certain services, such as music and video, for example. In some instances, the broadband gateway 200 may perform content search, transport discovery, ranking, and/or sorting. These operations may be performed based on content quality, price, quality-of-service (QoS), and network protocols supported by the devices in the home network, such as service level agreements (SLAB), for example.

The broadband gateway 200 may be operable to provide user interface services in the home network. In this regard, the broadband gateway 200 may be operable to support user interfaces, and/or to generate and/or store data corresponding thereto, which may be utilized to enable interactions between the broadband gateway 200 and users, such as in the home network 100 a for example. Exemplary user interfaces may comprise graphic user interfaces (GUIs), which may enable visually displaying and/or providing interaction with users, to provide visual interaction with customized content for example. Information inputted and/or outputted using the user interfaces may be stored in the broadband gateway 200, via the storage subsystem 204 for example. The user interfaces may enable configuring the broadband gateway 200, and/or any applications and/or services provided thereby, and/or may also be utilized to configure and/or adjust other devices in the home network 100 a. GUIs, and like interfaces, may be displayed using one or more devices coupled to the broadband gateway 200. For example, interfaces generated and/or used by the broadband gateway 200 may be displayed using the television 104 a.

The broadband gateway 200 may also be utilized to create, maintain, and/or update a plurality of profiles corresponding to users, devices, and/or services available in the home network 100 a. Furthermore, user interfaces supported and/or used by the broadband gateway 200 may be utilized to enable displaying and/or modifying user, device, and/or service profiles. Data corresponding to these profiles may be stored, at least temporarily, in the storage subsystem 204 of the broadband gateway 200. For example, device-profiles may be utilized to store information associated with particular devices that may be coupled to and/or serviced by the broadband gateway 200. In this regard, device-profiles may be utilized for storage of information pertaining to device capabilities, limitations, requirements, and/or configuration parameters therefor. User-profiles may be utilize to store information associated with particular users, such as setting preferences for various devices and/or services that may be utilized by a particular user in conjunction with the broadband gateway 200. The broadband gateway 200 may utilize user and/or home device profile information to, for example, select layered video service(s) and/or transmission. In some instances, the programming and/or enhanced video layers received by the broadband gateway 200 may be aggregated midstream by one or more network or routing nodes.

The broadband gateway 200 may be operable to run or execute an agent to extract content, rating, copyright, language, privacy rules, and automatically add user generated content, for example. Such agent may be run or executed in connection with the processing subsystem 202 of the broadband gateway 200, for example. In some instances, the broadband gateway 200 may be operable to provide rating-related information or channel prediction to a service/content provider to assist with fast channel change. Furthermore, the broadband gateway 200 may be operable to combine and/or blend multiple contents for use as single content in the home network. Such combination may be performed in one or more of the modules of the broadband gateway 200. For example, the broadband gateway 200 may blend different video and audio contents for an event by accessing one or more service/content providers and providing automatic and/or manual content synchronization.

The broadband gateway 200 may be utilized in connection with constrained network resources, such as time of day, traffic congestion, and the like, for example, to provide incentives for a user to accept a lower cost, lower quality of service that is dynamically configured for current network conditions. In some instances, the broadband gateway 200 may allow enhanced low latency service delivery to client devices in a home network. Furthermore, bandwidth optimization by, for example, placing future requests for bandwidth to a service/content provider and accepting the best timeslots provided in return may be enabled by the broadband gateway 200.

The gateway functionality associated with a user, such as security features, preferences, applications, electronic programming guides (EPGs), and user profile, for example, may be ported from the broadband gateway 200 to one or more other broadband gateways 200 in other locations. In some instances, a visitor may be allowed access to their content outside their service/content provider service area by, for example, classifying the access level for different users and/or by providing limited access to content. Moreover, the broadband gateway 200 may allow multiple user interface software structures by, for example, standardizing an interface to service/content providers and devices in the home network.

In various embodiments of the inventions, the broadband gateway 200 may provide a multi-tier billing service, for use in conjunction with content downloads for example, substantially as described with regard to, for example, FIG. 1. In this regard, the broadband gateway 200 may be operable to generate and/or utilize, using the processing subsystem 202 for example, multi-tier billing structures that may provide tiered and/or adjustable billing for content downloaded via the broadband gateway 200, and/or utilized by devices interacting with the broadband gateway 200 via the client-network interfacing subsystem 208. Use of multi-tier billing structures may enable, for example, arranging charges that may be assessed for obtaining and/or using content into a plurality of smaller, incremental charges in lieu of a single, larger charges. In this regard, the plurality of smaller charges may correspond to a plurality of steps that may be undertaken in the course of consumption of content. For example, the broadband gateway 200 may utilize multi-tier billing structures that may assess separate charges for downloading and for using (e.g. viewing) the content, and/or may track granting of any discount or reward credits.

In an exemplary aspect of the invention, the broadband gateway 200 may be operable to generate, using the processing subsystem 202 for example, user interfaces, and/or data corresponding thereto, which may be utilized to enable interactions between the broadband gateway 200 and users in the home network 100. Exemplary user interfaces may comprise graphic user interfaces (GUIs), which may enable visually displaying and/or providing interaction with users. Data inputted and/or outputted using the user interfaces may be stored via the storage subsystem 204. The user interfaces may be utilized for configuring the broadband gateway 200 and/or any applications and/or services provided thereby, and/or utilized to configure, control, and/or manage devices in the home network 100 a. The user interfaces used and/or supported by the broadband gateway 200 may comprise graphical user interfaces (GUIs), which may be displayed via one or more devices coupled to the broadband gateway 200 in the home network 100 a. For example, GUIs generated by the broadband gateway 200 may be displayed using the television 104 a. User interfaces may be utilized to enable displaying and/or modifying a plurality of profiles for example. In this regard, the profile may correspond to users, devices including the broadband gateway 200, and/or functions, services or applications provided in the home network 100 a using the broadband gateway 200.

In one embodiment of the invention, the broadband gateway 200 may incorporate one or more interfacing functions which may be utilize to support multi-tier billing services provided by the broadband gateway 200. For example, in instances where a transaction is requested from the broadband gateway 200, the broadband gateway 200 may determine, via the processing subsystem 202, whether multi-tier billing structure may be utilized in conjunction with the requested transaction. Exemplary transactions may comprise obtaining, receiving, and/or downloading content. In this regard, the broadband gateway 200 may initially prompt a user requesting the transaction, via a user interface for example, to determine whether the user may explore multi-tier billing structures that may be available for use in conjunction with the requested transactions. The broadband gateway 200 may also utilize, in lieu of prompt users, preconfigured user profiles during multi-tier billing services. In this regard, the user profiles may comprise preset and/or predetermined user preferences with respect to use of multi-tier billing and/or configuration thereof. The broadband gateway 200 may determine, using the processor 203 for example, whether that the requested transaction may be divided into a plurality of steps and/or sub-operations, each of which may be billed separately. Furthermore, the broadband gateway 200 may also determine whether aspects of the requested transaction, such as formatting and/or source of content for example, may be variably configured to enable assessing varying rates and/or granting credits. Based on these determinations, the broadband gateway 200 may generate a plurality of multi-tier billing structures, which may then be displayed to the user via a user interface, to enable the user to select a multi-tier billing structure for use in conjunction with the requested transactions.

Furthermore, user profiles generated and/or maintained by the broadband gateway 200, in the storage subsystem 204 for example, may be modified and/or configured, using the processing subsystem 202 for example, to add an account management component, which may be utilized in conjunction with the multi-tier billing. In this regard, the account management component may be utilized to create entries corresponding to a plurality of accounts associated with a particular user. The account entries may be utilized to store various parameters associated with each account, which may be utilized for transactions associated with these accounts. Accordingly, the account entries may be modified to enable specifying and/or configuring various policies and/or parameters that may be utilized to control and/or adjust multi-tier billing services that may be provided by the broadband gateway 200.

FIG. 3A is a flow chart that illustrates exemplary steps for multi-tier billing for downloading content via a broadband gateway, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 3A, there is shown a flow chart 300 comprising a plurality of exemplary steps that may be performed to enable multi-tier billing for downloading content via a broadband gateway, such as the broadband gateway 200 for example.

In step 302, the broadband gateway 200 may receive a request to perform an operation and/or service from a user in a home network, such as the home network 100 a. In this regard, the broadband gateway 200 may be utilized to request and/or obtain content that may be used by a device in the home network 100 a. In step 304, the broadband gateway 200 may determines divisibility of the requested operation and/or availability of different ways for performing it. For example, the broadband gateway 200 may determine that a requested transaction may be split into download and consumption steps, which may enable assigning different costs and/or credits for each of these steps. The broadband gateway 200 may also determine whether formatting and/or source of the content, and/or aspects of use thereof may be modified and/or adjusted. For example, the broadband gateway 200 may determine whether different formatted content, with different compression rates, may be used and/or whether the requested content can be obtained from sources closer to the home network serviced by the broadband gateway 200. In this regard, use of lower compression rates and/or obtaining content from closer sources may enable reducing bandwidth use in distribution networks, for which additional credits and/or lower costs may be offered. In step 306, the broadband gateway 200 may determine one or more multi-tier billing combinations for performing the requested transaction. In this regard, the multi-tier billing combinations may comprise a plurality of incremental charges, billing rates, and/or credits that may be assessed and/or granted based on the determined steps and/or various aspects. In step 308, the broadband gateway 200 may offer the billing combinations to the user for selection. In this regard, the broadband gateway 200 may display the available multi-billing combination via a user interface that may be generated and/or displayed via a device connected to the broadband gateway 200 in the home network 100 a, such as the television 104 a. In step 310, the broadband gateway 200 may perform the requested transaction based on user selection, and may track charges and/or credits in accordance with selected multi-tier billing combination.

FIG. 3B is a flow chart that illustrates exemplary steps for configuring a broadband gateway to perform multi-tier billing for downloading content, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 3B, there is shown a flow chart 330 comprising a plurality of exemplary steps that may be performed to enable configuration of a broadband gateway, such as the broadband gateway 200 for example, to perform multi-tier billing services.

In step 332, a user may configure one or more accounts in the broadband gateway 200, to specify multi-tier billing structure that may be utilized in conjunction with transaction requested from and/or performed by the broadband gateway 200. For example, users in the home network 100 a may configure accounts in the broadband gateway 200, corresponding to one or more of the content providers 130 and/or the service providers 120, allowing for multi-tier billing when downloading content through the broadband gateway 200. In step 334, the broadband gateway 200 may be utilized to obtain content based on configured accounts. In step 336, the broadband gateway 200 may accumulate charges and/or reward credits based on the configured account for various activities performed therein in conjunction with these accounts. For example, the broadband gateway 200 may use the multi-tier billing structures to track charges and/or credits in conjunction with content downloading and/or use. In step 338, broadband gateway 200 may determine based on the configured accounts total charges owed for a plurality of transactions associated with each account. Furthermore, accumulated reward credits may be redeemed, to discount an amount owed with respect to the current transaction, and/or in conjunction with future transactions, such as to pay for obtaining future content for example.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary user interface generated by a broadband gateway for creating and/or managing profiles, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a user interface 400.

The user interface 400 may, for example, be displayed as part of an on-screen display and may be accessible via a “menu” button. The user interface 400 may be generated by the broadband gateway 200, and/or based on data provided by the broadband gateway 200, to enable interactions between the broadband gateway 200 and users associated with the broadband gateway 200, in the home network 100 a for example. The user interface 400 may be displayed using a display device connected to the broadband gateway 200, such as the television 104 a for example. In this regard, the link 106 a may be utilized to communicate data and/or messages between the broadband gateway 200 and the television 104 a, to enable communicating data that may be displayed using the user interface 400, and/or receiving user input, selection, and/or feedback which may be provided based on interactions with the user interface 400.

The exemplary user interface 400 may be utilized to enable users to setup the broadband gateway 200, and/or to control, configure and/or modify various applications and/or tasks, or aspects thereof, which may provided by the broadband gateway 200. In an exemplary aspect of the invention, the user interface 400 may incorporate an account-management function 402, which maybe utilized to setup, configure, and/or track a plurality of accounts associated with a user.

For example, the account-management function 402 may comprise frames 410 and 420. The frame 410 may display a listing of the all accounts associated with a specific user. In this regard, each of the account listed in frame 410 may correspond to service and/or content provider providing content that may be consumed in a home device serviced by the broadband gateway 200. Associated with each account may be two buttons 412 and 412. Upon selection of button 412 by a user, activity for the corresponding account may be displayed in the frame 420. This may comprise all recent transactions associated with the selected account, within a specific duration that maybe preconfigured and/or dynamically specified. Selection of button 414 may enable configuring various settings for a particular account. These settings may comprise settings controlling management and/or authentication of any transactions associated with the account, and/or may also comprise settings pertaining to displaying of activity and/or generation of alert messages.

The frame 410 may also comprise a button 416 which may selected to enable entering one or more passwords before proceeding with any selection of buttons 412 or 414. In this regard, a user password may be required before displaying any of the detailed on frame 410 (e.g. listing of accounts), and/or account-specific passwords may also be required on per-account basis. Accordingly, failure to provide the correct (account) password(s) may prevent displaying frame 420. The frame 410 may also comprise a button 418 which may be selected to enable setting up a new account. Account setup may be performed as a step-by-step procedure based on interactions using frame 420. For example, passwords that which may be necessary when selecting button 416 may be configured as part of the new account setup procedure.

In the exemplary scenario depicted in FIG. 4, account settings for a particular account is shown in frame 420 based on selection of the appropriate button 414 in frame 410 (e.g. Account #2). Accordingly, account settings for the specified account may be displayed and/or configured using the frame 420. In this regard, the frame 420 may comprise fields 422 and 424, which may be utilized to display, setup, and/or configure user name and password, respectively, for the selected account. The frame 420 may comprise a payment information section, which may enable specifying payment related details with respect to the selected account. For example, the payment information section may comprise two buttons 426 a and 426 b. The button 426 a, which may comprise a pull down menu, which may enable specifying the type of payment system, such as a charge card or a credit card that may be associated with transactions associated with the selected account. Selection or activation of the button 426 a may enable displaying a secondary frame (not shown), as a pop-up frame for example, which may enable the user to enter additional information that may necessary regarding account related payment options. For example, in instances where ‘credit card’ is chosen as the payment type, selecting button 426 a may enable setting up and/or modifying associated credit card information, such as credit card number, expiration date, and/or any additional necessary that may be necessary to complete any transaction using that credit card.

The frame 420 may also comprise a billing settings field 428, which may list a plurality of fields corresponding to various parameters that may be chosen and/or configured for controlling and/or adjusting billing of transactions associated with the selected account. For example, the billing settings field 428 may list such options as automatic billing, payment or reimbursement with rewards or credits, and multi-tier billing. In this regard, the user may be able to activate and/or deactivate particular aspects of billing functions by checking or un-checking the selection buttons 440 within the corresponding fields. Users may also be able to specify various aspects and/or configure additional parameters for each of the billing parameters based on selection (clicking on) the appropriate field(s). For example, based on selecting the multi-tier billing, a corresponding expanded multi-tier billing field 430 may be display a listing various multi-tier billing parameters and/or criteria that may be specified for providing multi-tier billing with respect to transactions managed and/or provided by the broadband gateway 200 for the selected account.

The multi-tier billing field 430 may list, for example, ‘Time-of-use’ button 432, ‘Multiple-uses’ button 434, ‘Formatting’ button 436, and ‘Local Sharing’ button 438. In this regard, users may activate/deactivate particular aspects of multi-tier billing functions by checking/un-checking the selection buttons 440 within the corresponding fields. Users may also be able to specify various aspects and/or configure additional parameters for each of the billing parameters based on selection (e.g. clicking on) the appropriate field(s). For example, selecting or activation the ‘Time-of-use’ button 432 may enable displaying of a secondary frame (not shown), as a pop-up frame for example, which may enable the user to specify maximum and/or minimum delays that may applied between content downloads and actual use thereof. Selecting the ‘Formatting’ button 436 may enable displaying a secondary frame (not shown), as a pop-up frame for example, which may enable the user to specify various limits on content formatting, and/or aspects related thereto, such as quality and/or resolution. Similarly, selecting the ‘Local Sharing’ button 438 may enable displaying a secondary frame (not shown), as a pop-up frame for example, which may enable the user to specify nearby users from whom requested content may be received in lieu of communication of content directly from service and/or content providers.

Various embodiments of the invention may comprise a method and system for multi-tier billing for downloading content via a broadband gateway. The broadband gateway 200, which may be coupled to the plurality of devices 104 a-104 j in the home network 100 a and one or more of the distribution networks 110, may be utilized to provide multi-tier billing in conjunction with transactions performed through the broadband gateway 200. In this regard, broadband gateway 200 may determine whether a transaction requested from the broadband gateway 200 is performable in a plurality of steps; may associate a charge and/or a credit with each of the determined plurality of steps; and may perform the requested transaction based on the associated charges and/or credits. Furthermore, surcharges and/or credits may also be associated with one or more criteria associated with performing the requested transaction. For example, in instances where the transaction may comprise obtaining content, the criteria may comprise source of the content, format of the content, time of actual use of the content, amount of the content actually consumed, and number of uses of the content. The broadband gateway 200 may determine multi-tier billing combinations may comprise a plurality of surcharges and/or credits that may assessed and/or incurred in conjunction with performing the requested transaction. The multi-tier billing combinations may correspond to a plurality of steps that may be completed in performing the transaction, and/or the various criteria associated with the requested transactions. The multi-tier billing combinations utilized in conjunction with the transaction may be selected by the user. The broadband gateway 200 may track charges and/or credits accrued during performance of the requested transaction based on the selected billing combination.

The requested transaction may comprise obtaining content for consumption via one or more of the plurality of serviced devices in the home network. In this regard, the multi-tier billing may comprise separate surcharges corresponding to download and actual consumption of content. Configurable aspects of content related transactions may comprise source of content, formatting of content, time of actual use, portions of actually consumed, and/or number of uses. The broadband gateway 200 may communicate with users in the home network 100 a, during multi-tier billing services, using user interfaces. Selecting and/or configuring the multi-tier billing combinations may be based on information associated with users. In this regard, the broadband gateway 200 may store and/or maintain information associated with users in the home network for use in conjunction with providing multi-tier billing services to these users. The stored information may comprise user profiles comprising a plurality of settings for controlling and/or managing multi-tier billing services. The user profiles may be configurable by user associated with these user profiles.

Other embodiments of the invention may provide a non-transitory computer readable medium and/or storage medium, and/or a non-transitory machine readable medium and/or storage medium, having stored thereon, a machine code and/or a computer program having at least one code section executable by a machine and/or a computer, thereby causing the machine and/or computer to perform the steps as described herein for multi-tier billing for downloading content via a broadband gateway.

Accordingly, the present invention may be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The present invention may be realized in a centralized fashion in at least one computer system, or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware and software may be a general-purpose computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein.

The present invention may also be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the present context means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different material form.

While the present invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A method, comprising: in a broadband gateway that enables communication with a plurality of devices, wherein said broadband gateway is operable to handle at least one physical layer connection to at least one corresponding network access service provider: determining whether a transaction requested from said broadband gateway is performable in a plurality of steps; associating a charge and/or a credit with each of said determined plurality of steps; and performing said requested transaction based on said associated charges and/or credits.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one physical layer connection comprises a plurality of physical layer connections and said at least one corresponding network access service provider comprises a plurality of corresponding access service providers, and wherein each of said plurality of physical layer connections corresponds to a respective one of said plurality of corresponding access service providers.
 3. The method according to claim 1, comprising generating a plurality of cost combinations for selection by a user of said broadband gateway, wherein said plurality of cost combinations is determined based on said associated charges and/or credits.
 4. The method according to claim 1, comprising tracking and/or aggregating charges and/or credits during performance of said requested transaction.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said requested transaction comprises obtaining content for consumption via one or more of said plurality of devices.
 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said plurality of steps comprises downloading and actual consumption of said content.
 7. The method according to claim 5, comprising associating a charge and/or credit with one or more criteria associated with obtaining said content.
 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein said one or more criteria comprise source of said content, format of said content, time of actual use of said content, amount of said content actually consumed, and number of uses of said content.
 9. The method according to claim 1, comprising storing information associated with a user of said broadband gateway, said information being associated with providing billing services to said user.
 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein said stored information comprises a user profile corresponding to said user, said user profile comprising a plurality of settings for controlling and/or managing said billing services.
 11. A system, comprising: one or more circuits and/or processors for use in a broadband gateway that enables communication with a plurality of devices, wherein said broadband gateway is operable to handle at least one physical layer connection to at least one corresponding network access service provider, said one or more circuits and/or processors being operable to: determine whether a transaction requested from said broadband gateway is performable into a plurality of steps; associate a charge and/or a credit with each of said determined plurality of steps; and perform said requested transaction based on said associated charges and/or credits.
 12. The system according to claim 11, wherein said at least one physical layer connection comprises a plurality of physical layer connections and said at least one corresponding network access service provider comprises a plurality of corresponding access service providers, and wherein each of said plurality of physical layer connections corresponds to a respective one of said plurality of corresponding access service providers.
 13. The system according to claim 11, wherein said one or more circuits and/or processors are operable to generate a plurality of cost combinations for selection by a user of said broadband gateway, wherein said plurality of cost combinations is determined based on said associated charges and/or credits.
 14. The system according to claim 11, wherein said one or more circuits and/or processors are operable to track and/or aggregate charges and/or credits during performance of said requested transaction.
 15. The system according to claim 11, wherein said requested transaction comprises obtaining content for consumption via one or more of said plurality of devices.
 16. The system according to claim 15, wherein said plurality of steps comprises downloading and actual consumption of said content.
 17. The system according to claim 15, wherein said one or more circuits and/or processors are operable to associate a charge and/or credit with one or more criteria associated with obtaining said content.
 18. The system according to claim 17, wherein said one or more criteria comprise source of said content, format of said content, time of actual use of said content, amount of said content actually consumed, and number of uses of said content.
 19. The system according to claim 11, wherein said one or more circuits and/or processors are operable to store information associated with a user of said broadband gateway, said information being associated with providing billing services to said user.
 20. The system according to claim 19, wherein said stored information comprises a user profile corresponding to said user, said user profile comprising a plurality of settings for controlling and/or managing said billing services. 